When author EL James broke the news via Twitter that Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson had been cast as sex-obsessed billionaire Christian Grey and naive student Anastasia Steele there was some disgruntled muttering across social media networks which quickly picked up pace.

Many fans feel that neither Charlie nor Dakota aptly represent the characters that drove James' S&M trilogy to sales of over 70 million copies.

The petition very specifically wants Hunnam and Johnson to be replaced by Matt Bomer and Alexis Bledel.

Matt Bomer and Alexis Bledel: a better casting choice? (Photo: Getty)

Bomer has appeared in Magic Mike and In Time and is also known for his part in the TV show White Collar. He's topped lots of potential Christian Grey fan polls. Bledel is best known for Gilmore Girls and her role in Sin City.

"Matt Bomer is the PERFECT DESCRIPTION OF CHRISTIAN GREY AND ALEXIS BLEDEL IS THE PERFECT ACTRESS TO REPRESENT ANASTASIA STEELE and if THEY ARE NOT, NOBODY WILL BE And I read the whole trilogy and I can assure that Matt is the perfect actor for this movie and Alexis too. So please PLEASE, all of the GREYsessed and Bomerettes in the world NEED those actors. They always will be for us the Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. WE CAN DO ANYTHING GUYS, ANYTHING."

The producer of the film, Dana Brunetti responded to the outrage that followed the announcement by tweeting:

"There is a lot that goes into casting that isn't just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc. So if your favourite wasn't cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective."

Writer Bret Easton Ellis revealed earlier this year that Rob Pattinson was always the favourite: "EL James and I were at Rob Pattinson's house when she admitted that Rob was first choice for Christian. Ian Somerhalder never in running," he tweeted. "Matt Bomer was [also] never in the running."

Well, he still isn't. The Change.org petition failed to rip the cowl from soon-to-be Batman Ben Affleck's head even though it received 90,000 signatures.

However, the dissent is definitely causing ripples. Do you think Bomer and Bledel would be better than Hunnam and Johnson?